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Playing with water is a fun activity that can be enjoyed inside or outside, providing tamariki with multiple opportunities for open-ended play and skill development.

• It can promote language, cognitive and sensory activities.
• Water play can be calming, exciting or require focus and concentration.
• It also supports hand–eye coordination.
• Water play doesn’t have to be only at bath time.
• Skills are developed by pouring, measuring, filling, emptying, splashing, swirling and floating.

You don’t need a large quantity of water for a toddler to enjoy themselves — an ice cream container full of water with a small yoghurt container to dip and pour is enough. Water play can be:

• washing dishes
• watering the garden
• blowing bubbles
• walking in the rain
• splashing in puddles
• bathing dolls
• paddling in the waves
• having a tea party
• racing waka
• washing the car
• having a bath.

Further tips for water play fun

• For toddlers, gumboots and puddles can provide lots of fun for stomping and splashing in. Dropping stones in and watching and listening to the results is great too.
• On warmer days, put a baby bath or large container outside and fill it with lukewarm water. Add plastic cups for dipping and pouring, sponges to squeeze and things that float.
• Use buckets, basins, babies’ baths, sieves, hoses and plastic containers. Have objects that float or sink.

Safety tips

• Water play requires constant supervision at this age and stage.
• An old towel on the floor will help to avoid anyone slipping in puddles.